Director, Joshua Blewitt brings us chauvinistic, narcissist, movie lover and filmmaker, Chez Florentine (Joe Carmichael), amidst the release of his latest (very controversial) flick, Mean.
Opening on a talking heads/interview is the first entry we are given in a film with subject matter which is clearly an ode to films, filmmaking and the numerous techniques and artistic choices that come with it.
With varied styles, the cinematography ropes you in, keeping you engaged throughout. However, these multiple styles also leave this short struggling from a tonality point of view. Not to say the contrast doesn’t work but the script may have just been a tad heavy for lead, Carmichael, who doesn’t necessarily demonstrate the passion for film that his onscreen counterpart required, convincingly.
As an artist, there is a difference between the stories you want to tell and the stories you’ve been asked to tell.
Mean serves as more than just a title, not only doesn’t it hit on the downsides of the movie industry but it represents 21st-century filmmaking in the age where the internet has a voice and everyone is a critic. Although the ending falls a little flat, the finale does succeed in leaving you with a strong message: As an artist, there is a difference between the stories you want to tell and the stories you’ve been asked to tell.
Jacked In Reviews ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021)
For fear of having to dodge spoilers like the Green Goblin’s pumpkin grenades, Jacked In’s Jack hit the […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Longlegs’ (2024)
We open on an Oregon farm in the dead of winter through the POV of what looks like a ‘70s home video. A young child […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Butterfly Effect’ (2004)
Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher) has reached his adult years being a constant sufferer of blackouts which have caused […]
Jacked In Recommends ‘The Monster Squad’ (1987)
Horror’s answer to The Goonies, The Monster Squad follows a bunch of kids in a club based around, you guessed it, […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Beau Is Afraid’ (2023)
Ari Aster’s (Hereditary & Midsommar) no two movies have been the same and although Beau Is Afraid has Aster […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Orchid Moon’ (2023)
Orchid Moon follows the life of Harry (Jake Waring), a troubled individual with a burden he must suppress by any […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Bite The Hand’ (2023)
Bite the Hand sees Grace (Lucy Shervington), an individual attending counselling for depression brought on by her […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (2024)
What seems like a lifetime ago, we open up on Logan (Hugh Jackman) where we left him last… Dead. Seven years after […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Crimes of the Future’ (2022)
After more than a twenty-year hiatus from body horror, the legendary David Cronenberg makes his long-awaited return […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Natura’ (2023)
From the opening shot, you’re immediately captured by an open woodland which truly readies you for being emersed in […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Da Block’ (2023)
Written by Jay Anthony Connor, director Velton J Lishke brings us the story of Mikey (Lladel Bryant) and Sully […]
Jacked In Reviews ‘Uncut Gems’ (2019)
Similar to the Safdie brothers previous feature, Good Time, this movie does not take its foot off the pedal from […]